September is usually when we see the harvest pick up and shift into high gear and this year was no different. In addition to bringing in over 60% of our total fruit, we saw a wild range of weather that kept everyone on their toes. The month started with an extreme heat wave, bringing multiple days over 100 degrees and even a few over 110 degrees. A return to normal temperatures was welcomed by all, including the grapevines. Just when things were starting to feel normal again, an unusual late summer storm rolled in, bringing a few days of rain to the valley. It’s months like this when we realize just how nice the “boring” vintages are!

We’re officially in the home stretch for the 2022 Harvest. Kirk Venge is prowling the vineyards, waiting for the perfect moment to declare the grapes ready to pick. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll pick Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards such as Beckstoffer To Kalon and Georges III, Star Vineyard, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from Sugarloaf Vineyard, and Merlot and Syrah from Hudson Ranch.

The outlook on the 2022 vintage is fantastic. Harvest is trending earlier across the board, as has been the case all year since bud break. We are seeing smaller berry sizes and thus lower yields, but that is not surprising for yet another drought-influenced vintage. Smaller berries and lower yields also mean great concentration and intense, juicy flavor profiles.

The outlook for the next couple of weeks is picture-perfect weather. And after the wild month we just had, we’ll take it!